"Fat mum's have fat babies" - gestational diabetes

[SellyMevs]

I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes about 2 weeks ago, although I have been following diet advice from the obstetrician since 27wks as it was quite likely GDM was on the cards. I am now 32wks. I was started on insulin just in the mornings about a week ago, and yesterday this was upped to 4 times a day.

Up until now, GDM had been associated with my family history - my mum had it and both my grandmothers are type 1. The obstetrician I saw last week said I was just unfortunate, despite being slim, I couldn't change my genes. Everyone has been happy with my diet. Until I saw the diabetes consultant yesterday that is..

I lost count of the number of times he said the word fat in the 20 mins I was with him. I usually have no problem with people discussing my size, pre pregnancy I was a size 10 with a BMI of 25.

He asked me why I thought I had developed diabetes, I answered that it was my understanding that I've probably inherited the genes that make it more likely. He said that although it's a factor, it's actually fat mums that make fat babies and I need to address my weight. As a result of my weight, I was going to be subjected to a long and difficult birth, the baby would likely get stuck and he could end up being quite poorly afterwards.

I've put on 1.5 stone. I've moved up to a size 12 pair of jeans.. but even those are falling off of me. He says I am not to gain any more weight in the next 6 weeks and I have to be very strict with what I eat. I need to diet.

Firstly, is my weight gain really that awful? And secondly, is there anywhere I can find some good recipes? So far his suggestion for breakfast is one slice of toast and nothing else.

I already had some anxiety about delivery, I am high risk due to a rare bleeding disorder that means I have to have platelet transfusions during and after birth. I have a fear of needing emergency c section because they will need to do a general anaesthetic and the last thing I want if something goes wrong is to be put to sleep. His comments haven't really helped this. Is there someone I can talk to about my concerns? I have to see him again next week and I'm not looking forward to it, mostly because I'm worried I will have put on more weight again.

I would raise a complaint via PALs and ask for a referral to a different consultant.

I understand that weight is a key influence on diabetes, but it can also be connected to other things in your medical history.

Frankly he sounds like a twat and you shouldn't listen to him.
Is there any way you can move to someone else's care? I don't know how you go about that but if I were you I'd be phoning the department and asking how.
I'd also put in a complaint.

no, your weight gain isn't bad, it's you unfortunately having diabetes that's bad. I was 17 stone with both my pregnancies and no sign of diabetes. I had large babies, but the paediatric team examined them and said weight corresponded to the same length centile, so they weren't overweight at all.

your last doctor sounds pretty odd!

All sounds like a load of bollocks to me! I personally know of bigger birth weight babies born to slimmer women than the other way around! I'm a larger lady who had a 6lb 10oz baby and I didn't get GD. I think your explanation of why you think you have it is probably more accurate than your weight to be honest (although I appreciate I'm not a healthcare professional!).

I would ask to change consultants.

Im 33 weeks and have gained just over 2stone, I have consultant care for genetic purposes but I can assure you not one health prprofessional has mentioned my weight gain if anything they say how healthy I look, and that I'm mostly bump!!

I would seriously ask for another Dr, your not fat and your weight gain is average!

I'm also anxious about birth, for various reasons, please don't make a shitty Dr make you feel worse :(

That diabetes consultant sounds appalling. Complain and request a new one, you can't deal with someone that's made you feel so bad...

was this guy old? his suggestions for diet sound archaic. you need to eat normally, switch white bread for brown etc. have you heard of low GI diets?

Firstly, complain. I don't like the sound of his attitude or his advice! One slice of toast is not enough for a hungry pregnant woman. you should not be worrying about your weight especially since you seem pretty damn slim to me!

I was much heavier than you when I had a baby and there was no sign of gestational diabetes despite tests. My baby was nearly 11lb. I did have an emergency section but I was fully awake and anesthetized so didn't lose the moment of birth or anything. An emergency C section doesn't always mean a GA, it means any c section that is arranged after labour has started or with short notice.

Good luck and complain like mad!

He is an idiot. I had GD and I had a problem free induction with a 7lb baby. Request a different doctor.

Your weight is not sn issue. I had gd with last baby, followed diet, insulin and was closley monitored. Baby was 7,7. I was fat, my baby wasnt.

I've switched to eating wholemeal bread and pasta, and brown rice. I went off chocolates and sweets with my morning sickness and haven't looked at them since. I don't drink fizzy drinks and I don't put sugar in my hot drinks. I was religiously eating foods that were on the sheet the diabetic midwife gave me.

Originally because of my booking BMI, I was told I needed to be under the higher accepted blood glucose level after eating, and apart from breakfast, I mostly was. But he looked at the numbers yesterday, got out his calculator and declared that they were all too high.

I will look at low GI. I am quite active during the day and have 8 exams to sit by the end of next week. His suggestions have left me feeling without any energy at all today.

I was just about to say the same FourForks . I am a t1 diabetic and am so fed up of these bloody typical stereotypes ? and to come from a medical professional!

Toast is def not a nutritious breakfast suitable for a diabetic! Low GI is the best way of keeping your blood glucose levels stable throughout the day.

Lots of low GI recipes are available at Diabetes UK

Good luck

What an arse .

Yes, of course, weight can be a factor with diabetes but obviously not in your case.

I would complain and/or ask to see a different Consultant next time!

This consultant is talking shite and giving you dangerous advice. Please contact PALS and put in a formal complaint. Contact your specialist MW to put your mind at rest.

if breakfast is putting your blood sugar up, look at boosting protein for that meal, eg, his one slice of brown toast with a couple of eggs, a kipper, good quality (less than 3% carb) sausage, high protein yoghurt (total, natural). look at hidden sugar in your diet, jam, cereal bars, gravy powder, etc, it sneaks in everywhere. if you spot something, make a change, but try not to dwell too much, you're doing your best.

Fuck me what an arse. He's completely wrong. Make a complaint, please! You started at a healthy BMI and you have gained less than the 'healthy maximum' of 2 stone. Knob.

By the way - you don't "have to " see him. Ask your MW to refer you to someone with a lot more knowledge and compassion.

Missbattleaxe - unfortunately I am not allowed epidurals or spinal blocks due to my bleeding disorder so any c section will be GA.

I've just never met such a blunt health care professional, and I work for the NHS. He looked at the latest growth scan, told me my baby was getting fat and reiterated his opinion that fat mums make fat babies.

I only eat when I am hungry, and will only eat until I feel full. I was miserable after breakfast this morning knowing I had an hours drive and I was still hungry.

Well I was 14st 3 when I got pg and was a bmi of 35. That was my only high risk 'tick'.

I didn't get GD and my little girl was 6lb 8 and at nine months is just over the 25th centile.

Never once did anyone I came into contact with make me feel bad for being overweight. Or suggest I lost weight (I lost quite a bit in pregnancy anyway.... It hasn't continued despite bf!).....

I would definitely complain here!

Sounds a nightmare. I have GD & go to a GD clinic (also for pregnant women with type 1 diabetes) the pregnant ladies are all range of sizes (actually surprisingly few really large IMO). I had bmi 28 pre pregnancy so overweight for sure but not huge - (not that I am ok with it!). I have about the same gain. I have been told I must still eat carbs or will make myself & baby poorly diet is a bit like modified Atkins (lots of protein) & have not actually gained weight since diagnosis but not by "dieting". Everyone I have seen have emphasised that they do not know the causes & some women's hormones just go loopy & give up on insulin. Sounds like awful care & advice.

He told you your baby was getting fat? I would complaint to the General Medical Council, and not just the hospital. Scandalous.

By the way, my growth scans were way off. The last one I had before I was induced said my baby was at least 9lb 10. (Baby was 7lb).

He's talking out of his arse. Please complain for the good of other pg women who may come into contact with him

I had GD with DC1 and monitored my BMs with DC2 as a result. I'm a size 12 so bigger than you but still not a heifer. DC1 was 6lbs 13 and DC2 7lbs. Two of my skinniest friends also had GD but still had small babies. Yes BMI can be a factor but not always.

He's being utterly unhelpful and quite wrong to focus solely on weight. Of my friends, the only one who got GD (for both pregnancies) is a skinny little thing and didn't put on much weight in pregnancy.

I on the other hand put on 4st (off a starting BMI of 21) and my midwife was completely comfortable with that. And I had a normal weight baby (8lb at 40+11) and a trouble free birth.

The advice I've seen is to eat to appetite provided you have a balanced diet and don't eat rubbish. If you restrict your calories you can actually cause a wide range of other issues, really not a good idea.

What the hell? I'm also 32 weeks and have put on 2 stone. Like you, usually slim and that's 9 to 11 stone. It's genuinely all bump and I'm still fitting size small and 10 maternity wear. I would be horrified if someone told me I was fat especially as I'm still active and eating really healthily. Seriously you need to complain about this guy.